SALVATION ARMY

Southland Times, Issue 21627, 12 February 1932, Page 6

SALVATION ARMY

“THE PEARL OF THE ORIENT” INTERESTING LECTURE BY ADJUTANT SEKTIWANTI. An instructive lecture entitled, "The Pearl of the Orient—Ceylon,” was given in the Salvation Army Citadel last evening by Adjutant Sektiwanti (E. Radcliffe). Mr A. Cowley acted as chairman and a large audience followed with keen interest the Adjutant’s enlightening address of the missionary work in Ceylon, of its beauties and its fascination. Assisting the lecturer was an appropriately-garbed supporting party, the members of which lent a colourful touch to' the address by their singing of native choruses. The adjutant spent several years in Ceylon, and, accordingly, she was fully equipped to impart an exhaustive insight last-evening into the romantic life in that Island. At the conclusion of her remarks, she was warmly applauded and accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The chairman, after expressing pleasure at the large gathering, said that all were looking forward keenly to the Adjutant’s lecture which would embrace various phases of the native life in the Island of Ceylon, where the Salvation Army was carrying out fine work among the heathen tribes there. No doubt many hardships had to be faced by the missionaries but they had their reward in the knowledge that they were carrying out God’s command in the preaching of the Gospel to the heathen races.

The Adjutant, who wore her Indian uniform, prefaced her remarks by referring to the remarkable fertility of the soil of Ceylon—an Island which abounds in wonderful beauties and products, and which, in the eyes of the European, is regarded as ‘‘The Pearl of the Orient.” Continuing, the lecturer said that when one went to Ceylon to dwell he had to change entirely his preconceived ideas of life there. Things were very' different to what she anticipated, remarked the Adjutant. At times even the hearts of the missionaries faltered but faith was put in God always, and He never failed, Ceylon was generally regarded as part of India but the people of the Island regarded it as an insult to speak in that way, for the natives were a proud race—an unconquered tribe, and one highly cultured and intelligent. The Adjutant, proceeding, explained the caste system which, she emphasized, was very, very binding indeed. Every caste possessed its own beggars, many of whom were most plausible. The characteristic features of the various native religions were traced by the lecturer, who said that their fundamental basis was a belief in the reincarnation of the soul. The first English missionaries arrived in Ceylon in 1712 but, in 1500 to 1600, the Portuguese had settled on the Island and they laid a bad foundation in making it obligatory for the natives to become baptized in the Roman Catholic religion. The language was a mixed one, but in spite of that fact, rather pretty. There was the "book” language, and that for conversational purposes, but, although the former was somewhat easy to master (being a phonetic one), the latter was very difficult and it was essential that the missionaries should mix with the natives to obtain a proper grasp of it. . From a moral point of view, the lite, ta_ the Europeans in Ceylon, was difficult,

because there was so much idle time on their hands that the moral standard frequently became lowered. The natives were not slow in discerning the widespread gambling, dancing and drinking among the “whites,” and they would often taunt the missionaries at the improper life led by the Christians, who, they argued, had the advantage of Gospel training. In conclusion, the lecturer referred to many of her personal missionary experiences in Ceylon, and her reminiscences were both interesting and, at times, highly amusing. Appreciative hymns and selections were rendered by the Salvation Army Band, while the supporting party added to the success of the evening with enjoyable native choruses, duets and solos.